We’ve all been there. When there’s not much else going on, boredom kicks in, and we start snacking on junk food. Overeating must be one of the easiest pitfalls humans fall into, and it is a sign you might not be in the right mindset for healthy living. I’m no exception. I work from home a lot, so there’s an entire kitchen of snacks next to me and a row of shops selling junk food right around the corner. When boredom sets in, the distractions and temptation to eat are severe.
However, over the years I’ve worked from home, I’ve devised some techniques to stop me snacking when boredom kicks in, and also to keep it away in the first place.
Here are my most effective tips for what to do when you’re feeling boredom hunger and the temptations of snacking.
Drink Plenty of Liquids
My first tip, which usually does the trick when I’m feeling a little hungry while bored, is to drink plenty of liquids. It’s so easy to reach into the fridge or cupboard to eat a candy bar, but all you really need is to hydrate yourself, and that hunger disappears within a matter of minutes.
I recommend drinking water. It’d be no use drinking tons of fizzy drinks or liquids high in sugar, as those can be just as bad for you as candy bars. When you feel boredom hunger creeping in, the first call to action should always be to drink a glass of water.
Entertain Yourself
This is my second call to action, and it usually alleviates my boredom to the point that it ceases to exist! It’s fairly difficult to be bored at home in 2017 when, thanks to the internet, we have so much entertainment at our fingertips. I’ll watch YouTube videos, documentaries, TV shows or, better yet, health and fitness programs to keep my mindset aligned with my health goals.
If I’m out of the house and traveling (which is mostly by train), I’ll usually watch YouTube videos with my headphones. YouTube hosts some incredible documentaries and channels devoted to nutrition and healthy living. However, since I’m using public WiFi, there are often restrictions on the content I can view, so I need to take a few steps to watch. This way there is no way boredom hunger can get the best of me!
Get Busy
When I notice I’m just sitting around bored, I use that free time to get things done around the house. This isn’t always fun or enjoyable, but it keeps me from overeating and wasting my time when there are things to get done.
Alternatively, I’ll use my free time to exercise and workout. This is the polar opposite of being bored and eating junk. If you find yourself partaking in unhealthy activities such as snacking and lazing around, think to yourself, “what’s the opposite of what I’m doing?” Usually, it will involve some healthy activity that will make you feel better and more productive.
Overall, through drinking plenty of liquids, entertaining yourself and keeping busy, you can avoid eating junk or overeating when boredom sets in. There’s one common denominator present in each of these tips: it takes being proactive to kick unnecessary hunger to the curb.
Author bio: Faith is a health and tech blogger with a keen passion for healthy living. She enjoys spreading awareness for diet and exercise plans that help create nutritional lifestyles.
